For innovation to be effective, it has to be an ongoing process that openly explores and dynamically adapts with both successes and failures. The end result is usually advancement or improvement in a process or product. Today we are seeing a number of key advancements as a result of some truly innovative methods used to increase the resulting intensity of flavor in the whiskey.
Prior to 2018, a new collaborative whiskey product began as an effort between the metal music powerhouse Metallica and a Master Distiller and Blender named Dave Pickerell. Rob Dietrich joined the team in 2019, after Dave Pickerell had passed away. The processes that Dave had explored and established would continue to be used and advanced.
Anyone who has been to a Metallica concert realizes at least the basic effects that sound can create; here we are focusing on vibration or reverberation. The process for producing this new whiskey has been a combination of sourcing NAS high quality spirits, blending them together, and then finishing utilizing a “proprietary BLACK NOISE™ sonic-enhancement process” using patent-pending audio technology developed by Meyer Sound. Here, “the whiskey is pummeled by low-hertz soundwaves which force the whiskey deeper into the wood of the barrel, where it picks up additional wood flavor characteristics.”; The specific frequencies of these sound waves cause a reverberation that causes the wood and whiskey to interact in such a way as to enhance the infusion and reaction between the alcohol and the specific flavor markers which are found in oak barrel wood.
All of this sounds interesting, but how does it taste?
The first one up was their Original Blackened, which is a combination of blended straight whiskeys which are finished in brandy casks. It clocks in with 45% ABV / 90 proof. Blackened’s appearance is a pleasant burnished copper color. It has a medium body that leaves tears on the Glencairn glass after it is swirled around a bit.
On the nose, it seems quite fragrant with herbal notes of lemongrass and a bit of tarragon. Then coconut overtakes a mild woody aroma followed by hints of vanilla. On the palate it presents a balanced and mild oaky profile with strong cinnamon and clove spice. I detect a hint of honey lingering in the background. Quite pleasant. This whiskey finishes rather long and even with a honey creaminess that wants to stay with you. There was no bitterness or bite at the end.
The second whiskey was their Rye the Lighting, which is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey which is double cask finished with Madeira and rum casks. It is certainly a different way to finish a rye. It’s also 45% ABV / 90 proof.
Its appearance is a fine chestnut color with a medium body similar to the Original Blackened. It also leaves long tears on the glass. On the nose it is both mildly spicy and boldly floral with notes of carnations and anise and clove. There’s a bit of freshly cut roses there, too. On the palate, mint and cinnamon are dominant with freshly cut grass and a sweet sugary note. It finishes long as well with lingering notes if sugary goodness and a very weak note of wildflowers. There’s no bite at the end.
Bottom Line:
I was impressed by both of the products I sampled. Blackened exhibits the creativity we often see which is advancing at a rapid pace with the introduction of new ideas and spirit enhancement methods.
Without a doubt, the Blackened line of quality whiskeys are certainly a part of a new chapter in whiskey innovation which is changing the way it is produced and understood by the consumer. In this case, if one could pour Metalllica’s music into a glass and taste it, this would be it.
